Ipswich landlord fined for overcrowded accommodation
One room contained four bunk beds
A landlord and restaurant owner in Ipswich has been hit with a £78,000 fine for overcrowded and dangerous housing of his workers.
The trial at Colchester Magistrates followed an investigation by Ipswich Borough Council's Private Sector Housing Team.
Addresses were used to house workers from the Spoon Ipswich restaurant with one room containing four bunkbeds.
The landlord, Shen Residences Limited, was fined a total of £40,000 for the offences and its former sole director, Zhiqiang Shen, (who subsequently resigned) was fined £20,000. Both defendants were ordered to pay £8,931 in legal costs and a £190 victim surcharge.
Ipswich Borough Cllr Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection says:
“This case shows Ipswich Borough Council won’t tolerate residents being put at risk in either sub-standard or unlicensed HMO accommodation and will take the steps to hold to account those responsible for such.
“My message to the sector is that we welcome well-managed and licensed HMOS but will act with all our powers against those who flout the law.”